‘Tis the season for rising credit card bills from holiday spending and higher electric bills from festive light displays and heating costs. But don’t fret! We’ve put together 5 quick and easy tips to help you save this season:
1. Use solar-powered holiday lights
Wayfair's solar-powered string lights look great there's no need for additional wiring or outlets. The LED lights turn on automatically when it gets dark, use 75% less energy than traditional incandescent lights, and can last up to 25 times longer.
2. Set a timer for holiday lights
If you haven’t yet made the switch to solar-powered holiday lights, make sure to use a timer to automatically turn on your holiday lights when it gets dark and turn them off later in the night when you’re asleep.
3. Use energy-efficient light bulbs
This may seem like a no-brainer to some, but switching to energy-efficient light bulbs is a great way to reduce your energy costs. According to the DOE, by replacing your home’s light fixtures with LED lighting, you can save $225 in energy costs per year! Even if you’ve already switched to energy-efficient light bulbs, you may miss the warm glow of traditional incandescent bulbs. That’s where Finally Light Bulb comes in. The company’s patented “Tesla Technology” produces a unique light spectrum that creates the warmth of traditional bulbs while maintaining the quality and energy efficiency of today’s LEDs. Starting at just $5.99 each, Finally offers 60, 75, and 100-watt replacement light bulbs, all backed by a 15-year guarantee.
4. Switch to a learning thermostat
With its proven energy-saving features, the Nest learning thermostat learns and adapts to your behavior. It uses sensors and your phone’s location to make sure you’re out of the house, then sets itself to Eco Temperature, saving energy and putting more money in your pocket. Forgot to turn the heat down before you left for your holiday travel? With Nest’s mobile app, you can adjust the temperature right from your phone! Your electricity provider might even offer a rebate or incentive for purchasing a Nest thermostat so be sure to check for any special offers.
5. Consider a fiber-optic Christmas tree!
Did you know these bright, energy-efficient trees use 10 times less energy than Christmas bulbs? And don’t worry, you can still decorate them with ornaments and garland. The see-through branches reflect tons of light and even if one is damaged, the rest of the tree will not be affected. Keep those pesky string lights in a box and enjoy the beautiful colors.